What Life Has Taught Us…

Dawn Lindberg and Tamara Lepine-Williams talk to Woman&Home about important life lessons they’ve learned and what they’d do differently if they had to go back in time.

Dawn Lindberg, 70, is an entertainer, and the executive director of the Naledi Theatre Awards. She and her husband, Des, have been performing for over 50 years.

When I was young, it was important to me to be strong and independent, and to follow my passion, which was to be in theatre, even though I often worried about getting enough gigs, and being able to pay the bond.

I regret not learning to manage my money and investments better, but we learn from our mistakes, and I now know the value in saving for a rainy day. No-one else will hold your umbrella!

Looking back, I wish I’d spent more time watching dung beetles, sitting quietly with a cat on my lap, reading, talking to my mother about her thoughts and dreams and painting and etching.

I’d still love to exhibit my own artworks. Growing old is bearable, and even fun, so long as we take care of our health and fitness. I’ve grown to love the wrinkles I’ve earned, and it’s exciting adding things to my bucket list!”

Tamara Lepine-Williams, 61, lives in Johannesburg with her husband of 37 years, Neil. They have four children. She is the lifestyle presenter for Classic FM 102.7, and also owns the bespoke catering business, Salle a Manger.

The perspective that reaching the age of 60 gives you is enormously liberating.

There is a ‘letting go’ which happens too. While the idea of going back in time to relive moments of our lives is seductive, I wouldn’t wish to live in the past. We can only learn from the moments in time we’ve lived through, and move swiftly on.

There’s so much ahead to look forward to. There’s much that we have no control over, but it’s how we react to those things that truly matters. It draws on our strength of character and courage, which becomes stronger the more often it comes into play.

I had an aunt who, right up until she died at the age of 93, insisted she wasn’t old, but mature, and continued to sign five-year leases on property! I couldn’t do better than to follow that example.